Dunn v. Clement

ORMOND, J. — Contracts are construed and governed by the law of the place where they are to be performed. The declaration states that the note was made “in Kemper County, Mississippiand as it was not stated that it was not to be performed there, the legal inference is, that it was to be performed where it was made. (Hamach v. Andrews, 9 Porter 10) It is however, insisted that we must presume “ Kemper County, Mississippi,” is the name of some place in the State of Alabama. It is true, that it is not stated that it was in the State of Mississippi, but we cannot close our eyes to the fact, that such is the case, and must understand it as all the rest of the world would, to mean the State of Mississippi. In the case cited from, 1 Alabama Reports, New Series, we [393] held, that we would not intend that Geo. meant the State of Georgia; we are not disposed to question that decision; but we cannot go beyond it. At an early period in the history, of this Court, in the case of Peacock v. Banks, Minor 387, the declaration showed that the note was made, and payab le in Nashville, in the State of Tennessee; and it was held, that judgment by default, and interest calculated on the note, was' irregular. We cannot perceive the difference between that case the and present. If there had been an issue tried between the parties, we would presume that the necessary proof was made of the rate of interest of the State of Mississippi; the judgment being by default, no such intendment can be made. For this error, the judgment must be reversed, and the cause remanded.